Judge Not

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1-2

People engage in judgment every day. Satan loves to keep us busy identifying and judging the faults of others. When we focus our thoughts and conversations on the shortcomings of others, we are being deceived about our own conduct. The danger of judging something or someone is found in Romans 2:1 (AMP). “Therefore you have no excuse or defense or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For imposing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things {that you censure and denounce}”. A critical judgment offends, creates seeds of return, blocks future provision, robs, steals, destroys and keeps us from victory.

There is a reason Jesus told us to not judge others in Matthew 7:1-2. These words contain the truth that will keep us in the Spirit. If we don’t challenge our attitudes about others or ourselves, we could be sowing in the flesh; responding to things with lack or fear. Judgment is disobedience to the Lord. Disobedience is sin that results in the loss of personal power.

The law of sowing and reaping has governed human destiny since the beginning of time. Every member of the human race is subject to this law; no one can claim they are free from its control. What we experience today is the result of the actions and decisions we made previously. The sowing and reaping law is fair and impartial.

Jesus tells us to judge, but to do so righteously and not by appearance (John 7:24). Righteous judgment is viewing things and people with the same perception as Jesus; we are to declare blessings according to God’s Word. The word judge means we are accepted in the Beloved; we are declared not guilty; we have been given the Holy Spirit as our helper; we are forgiven and are not condemned by God. We are to judge without condemnation. Seeds of condemnation block the provision of God’s promises. God’s will for us is to prosper and be in health (III John 1:2).

Judging according to appearance is becoming critical about something, someone or ourselves, forming an opinion of lack, unworthiness or comparison. The religious people of Jesus’ day brought a woman to Him they said was taken in adultery. “…Jesus said unto to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.” John 8: 10-11.

Judgment Examples

1. I was in a clergy meeting when the news that a brother-in-law of one of the pastors had left his sister for another woman. He became very angry, pounding the table and speaking critically against the situation and the people involved. One year later, that pastor left his wife for another woman.2. Over 30 years ago I knew some information about a person that was not acceptable in the church world or in society. Circumstances changed and I was no longer around that person, I had buried my judgment. Recently I saw this person in a restaurant and that judgment instantly resurfaced. I not only judged, but I labeled the person ‘bad’. The label and the energy of that past judgment was still alive. It didn’t stop there, now I wanted to tell others what I knew. This was unrepented sin; it robbed my energy. Adding other judgments on top of that one, victory in life became faulty. Victory is natural if we see judgments as sin and say, “Lord Jesus Christ, I’m sorry for judging that person (situation, thing). I was wrong. I accept Your forgiveness and I bless that person.”3. If we judge and declare that we are unworthy, insecure, unacceptable or stupid, we are sinning against ourselves.4. When we judge others and want to give advice to ‘fix’ them, we are saying, “I am right and you are wrong.” It is sin.5. If we assume we know what someone is thinking and come to the conclusion we are right, that judgment is wrong and a waste of mental and emotional energy. The truth is, we don’t know.6. If someone hurts or offends us, we quickly judge that person. We tend to focus on the hurt or offense by using excuses to justify critical thoughts or words, not realizing we’ve made a judgment of them as bad, mean, insensitive or not caring. A judgment is a judgment. If we don’t quickly repent for a judgment, it robs our energy. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you…” Mark 11:25 (AMP).

Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is my ability to forgive everything from the past. I let it go to God and I re-label it as Romans 8:28. By You, Holy Spirit, I hold no grudges, regrets or failures. My past is rewritten by faith and my future is now in the present. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.